Shortage of BCG vaccine

BCG vaccine is given to protect babies against tuberculosis (TB).

BCG vaccine stock in all areas expired at the end of April 2015 and as of today, March 1 2017, the HSE continues to experience ongoing delays with the supply of BCG vaccine. This continues to be a Europe wide issue.

The number of cases of TB has been steadily falling in Ireland. The number of cases of TB for the years 2014 and 2015 was at the lowest level since records began. Most European countries do not give BCG vaccine to all babies.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), an independent expert group on immunisation and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have both recommended that BCG vaccine does not now need to be given routinely to all babies in Ireland.

So your baby is not at risk of TB and you do not need to delay any of your baby's injections.